Russia is expanding its information influence in Nigeria through the African Initiative agency network, which has been operating in Lagos since 2024. Campaigns are coordinated via the Afree app, as well as Telegram and X.
Moscow employs tactics tested in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso — appealing to anti-colonial sentiment and presenting itself as an alternative to the West: a “partner without political conditions” that allegedly provides security and development. In Nigeria’s northern regions, these narratives spread most actively due to cross-border links with Niger.
Out of Nigeria’s 237 million citizens, about half have internet access. TikTok and WhatsApp are the main channels of political communication. Youth under 25 make up around 70% of the population and are the primary audience. In 2025, over 45% of Nigerians regularly consume political content online — the highest rate in Africa.
Russia’s campaigns are systematic. Their goal is to undermine state institutions ahead of the 2027 elections and foster anti-Western attitudes. During mass events, the distribution of pro-Russian content increased online engagement by roughly 40%. Such materials often justify military coups and discredit democratic institutions.
Studies show that 75% of young Nigerians cannot identify fake videos, making the audience highly vulnerable to disinformation. The growing Russian information presence marks the Kremlin’s shift from localized operations in the Sahel to a systematic influence strategy targeting Africa’s key states. This approach allows Moscow to strengthen its political foothold and pave the way for economic and military expansion across the region.
